Pronunciation of St. Botolph Street (Boston, Lincoln: condos, landscaping, living in)

[bostonguy1960]

I lived there in a tiny and simple efficiency from 1985 to 1990.

Of course, much cheaper then with my modest earnings. Couldn't afford it now even with cost of living increases. I was lucky to live in town, by myself, ages 25 to 30. A different Boston then, of course....better or worse? Seemed or was much more affordable to enjoy even for basic people like me.

Charming area then: near Symphony Hall, Northeastern, Copley Place and the Pru.

Even better now as brick sidewalks plus acorn lights, unlike then. Probably more condos, so maybe nicer doors and landscaping now.

I say "Be TOLPH." Tonight I was walking near there, and a young male asked his friend if they're near "St. BO tolph St." yet. Yes, I have heard that on occasion, but I think my way is more common.

How would you say it?

[bostongymjunkie]

The latter pronunciation would be the out-of-towner way of saying it. You say it the Bostonian way (and so do I) and closer to the British pronunciation.

[P Larsen]

Locally, the accented syllable has been on the second syllable. The first syllable is pronounced with a short schwa. But I can't say that's a particularly modern English pronunciation (one thing to keep in mind is that certain pronunciations in eastern New England preserve practice of the 17th-18th centuries that later changed in Britain).

St Botolph was a saint popular in East Anglia and Lincolnshire, and the name of the city of Boston in the latter (for which our Boston is named) is derived from his name.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botolph_of_Thorney

[Space_League]

emphasis is on syllable two of Botolph

first syllable is a 'buh' so Saint buh-TOLPH or buh-TOFF ('au' sound like coffee)

[id77]

Originally Posted by bostonguy1960

I lived there in a tiny and simple efficiency from 1985 to 1990.

Of course, much cheaper then with my modest earnings. Couldn't afford it now even with cost of living increases. I was lucky to live in town, by myself, ages 25 to 30. A different Boston then, of course....better or worse? Seemed or was much more affordable to enjoy even for basic people like me.

Charming area then: near Symphony Hall, Northeastern, Copley Place and the Pru.

Even better now as brick sidewalks plus acorn lights, unlike then. Probably more condos, so maybe nicer doors and landscaping now.

I say "Be TOLPH." Tonight I was walking near there, and a young male asked his friend if they're near "St. BO tolph St." yet. Yes, I have heard that on occasion, but I think my way is more common.

How would you say it?

I've always pronounced it 'Bah-TOLPH', so like you but with a soft 'o' like in bottom or soft.

[Boston Shudra]

I only started saying the name when I was at NEU despite growing up in the city. So my pronunciation may be that if an out-of-towner, but I’ve always said “bolt off”.

[BOORGONG]

Originally Posted by Space_League

emphasis is on syllable two of Botolph

first syllable is a 'buh' so Saint buh-TOLPH or buh-TOFF ('au' sound like coffee)

I've been working my "butt off" trying to get the right pronunciation.

[brk330]

Originally Posted by bostongymjunkie

The latter pronunciation would be the out-of-towner way of saying it. You say it the Bostonian way (and so do I) and closer to the British pronunciation.

so Don't I

[bostongymjunkie]

Originally Posted by brk330

so Don't I

They are both idioms that essentially imply the same meaning in this area. Yours is peculiar to New England and, to me, makes no sense. In this case, I'm agreeing with the subject. Using the negative word "don't" naturally connotes disagreement. "So don't I" implies that I use another pronunciation than the one he referenced. I'll toss "So don't I" into the same pile as "I could care less."



Nobody likes a grammar queen, especially when they have no valid point.

[brk330]

"You say it the Bostonian way (and so do I)"

"So don't I" is the Bostonian way way of saying 'so do I'

There.

Joke explained.

You should take boston out of your screen name if that went over your head.

wow...